I-League: The Bengaluru FC & Pune FC combined XI

Photo Credit: Pune FC

Bengaluru FC (BFC) entertain Pune FC (PFC) in the final home game of their debut I-League campaign on Friday and the clash is a potential title-decider as Pune trail table toppers Bengaluru by seven points but have a game in hand.

They are two of the newest clubs in Indian football but both have built a reputation of being highly professional unlike many clubs who have been around for decades. Since both set high standards both on and off the pitch, a new rivalry can develop and become the best in the I-League in the near future. Ahead of their second-ever meeting, Sportskeeda compiles a combined eleven.

The players who are unavailable due to injury or suspension have not been considered for selection while the rule of having four foreigners in the lineup has been followed. The formation we have chosen is 4-4-1-1. So which club will have greater representation? BFC or PFC? Find out in the next three pages.

Goalkeeper: Arup Debnath (PFC)

Photo Credit: Pune FC

Both clubs will be missing their regular keepers due to suspension but Pune’s second-choice custodian Arup Debnath is more experienced than Soram Porei of Bengaluru and produced a man-of-the match display, including a last-minute penalty save, in the 1-0 home win over Bengaluru back in November.

Right Back: Rino Anto (BFC)

Rino Anto (No.13)Photo Credit: Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru coach Ashley Westwood described Anto as the best right back in the I-League earlier this year and the 26-year-old has lived up to those expectations by being highly consistent week in week out. Pune have various options for the right back slot but Anto has certainly performed better than all of them this season.

Centre Back: Calum Angus (PFC)

Photo Credit: Pune FC

Angus has been one of the best defenders of this I-League campaign and was heavily missed in the defeat to Churchill Brothers last week. The former Portsmouth youngster has also contributed going forward as he has scored twice and set up many goals through his set-piece deliveries. With club captain Anas Edathodika suspended, there will be extra responsibility on the Englishman to lead an inexperienced backline.

Centre Back: John Johnson (BFC)

John Johnson (no.6)Photo Credit: Bengaluru FC

Both John Johnson and Curtis Osano have been instrumental in Bengaluru’s title challenge but the former has been more consistent and has also contributed with three important goals. However the former Middlesbrough defender hasn’t scored since October despite being a threat from set-pieces and will have to raise his game even more in the absence of Osano, who is suspended for this clash.

Left Back: Gurjinder Kumar (PFC)

Both clubs have highly-talented left backs in Gurjinder Kumar and Keegan Pereira and the two are expected to fight for a place in the national team in the future. But Gurjinder, who is in the current India side, gets our nod for making fewer mistakes this season. The 23-year-old is quite versatile and has also been used in a left midfield role, from where he assisted two goals in the remarkable AFC Cup comeback against Hong Kong’s Kitchee.

Right Midfield: Beikhokhei Beingaichho (BFC)

Photo Credit: Bengaluru FC

There are plenty of quality wide midfielders in both sides but Beikhokhei has undoubtedly been the best right midfielder of this season. The 21-year-old has not only set up goals from his crosses and set-piece deliveries but has also netted three times in all competitions. Beikhokhei would soon get a senior national team call-up if he continues to be consistent.

Central Midfield: John Menyongar (BFC)

Photo Credit: Bengaluru FC

There hasn’t been a better deep-lying playmaker in the I-League this season than this Liberian. The 34-year-old’s class and experience has been vital for Bengaluru’s inexperienced squad and his consistency has made them genuine title contenders. If Menyongar is at his best in the final four games of the season, Bengaluru have every chance of lifting the I-League trophy.

Central Midfield: Siam Hanghal (BFC)

Siam Hanghal pointing to the crowd after scoring against DempoPhoto Credit: Bengaluru FC

The Tata Football Academy graduate has exceeded expectations in his first-ever I-League campaign as he has made 17 appearances and played a key role in Bengaluru’s title challenge. Hanghal’s level of performances from the middle of the park has been better than many of the experienced midfielders in the country. The 20-year-old has plenty of time in his career to make further improvements and become a regular in the national team also.

Left Midfield: Gabriel Fernandes (PFC)

Gabriel Fernandes sends out a message after scoringPhoto Credit: Pune FC

Although he has been mainly used on the right wing by Pune, Gabriel simply had to be in this team for being one of the best Indian players in 2014. The 25-year-old started the season at Dempo but was rarely used there and Pune capitalised by signing him in the winter transfer window. Ever since joining the Red Lizards, Gabriel has both scored and created goals. He is capable of playing in both flanks and is not far away from India team setup.

Attacking Midfielder: Douhou Pierre (PFC)

Photo Credit: Pune FC

Former Bolton man Riga Mustapha has usually functioned in this role recently but Pune’s best performances have come when Douhou has operated as the playmaker behind the striker. The Ivorian was Pune’s best player in the first half of the season and has made vital contributions from a deeper role also in recent games. Douhou is indispensable for Pune because when he has a bad game, Mike Snoei’s side tend to struggle.

Centre Forward: Sunil Chhetri (BFC)

There can be no debate about this choice although the India skipper hasn’t always featured upfront for BFC. Sean Rooney’s goals and physical presence have been vital for Bengaluru but they wouldn’t be leading the I-League table after 22 rounds without Sunil’s class and 13 goals. Pune also have a good centre-forward in Mirjan Pavlovic but the Australian has his work cut out in matching Sunil’s consistency and match-winning ability.

Final Score: BFC 6-5 PFC